Date: 21/02/2006
Source: Independent Electoral Commission
Title: Bam: Briefing to trade unions on 2006 Municipal Elections
Address by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Dr Brigalia Bam, at a briefing to labour movement at Emperor Caesar’s Hotel in Kempton Park
Programme Director,
Leaders and representatives of the labour movement,
Fellow Commissioners,
Deputy Chief Electoral Officer,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Introduction
On behalf of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), it gives me great pleasure and honour to welcome you to this very important briefing on the upcoming local government elections. In line with the principles of our democracy, which is consultative in nature, the Electoral Commission has been engaging with a number of stakeholders to ensure that everyone is brought on board and plays a pivotal role in the 2006 Local Government Elections. These have included briefings to traditional leaders, political parties, youth formations, media and religious organisations.
The labour movement – one of the key pillars of the struggle for democracy in South Africa - is one such stakeholder. We have therefore, invited you to this briefing because we know that you will contribute immensely to the success of these elections. You have done so in past successive elections, and once again we will be counting on your support.
Role of Trade Unions
Ladies and gentlemen, trade unions have played an influential role in determining labour market and industrial relations policies in the country. The labour movement is also credited for having played a crucial role in the demise of apartheid, its legislation and practices at workplace and in the country.
The militancy shown by the trade union movement in support of union recognition and higher wages soon translated into political mobilisation against apartheid structures.
The apartheid-era Industrial Conciliation Act, for example, recognised the right of white, Indian and Coloured workers to belong to trade unions while denying black workers the same right. Consequently, trade unions argued that workers and their unions could not remain disengaged from community struggles to dismantle the apartheid system.
Unions soon began participating in community struggles against high rents, unrepresentative local councils and apartheid laws, leading in the 1980s to the establishment of community organisations, including youth, student and women’s structures.
A co-operative relationship between unions and community organisations was established. The many stay-aways in support of political demands in the 1980s were jointly organised by the unions and community organisations.
The trade unions' valuable organisational and negotiating experience was shared with community activists, ensuring effective community mobilisation.
Ladies and gentlemen, as we prepare to go to the polls in eight days from now on, it is that spirit of community mobilisation that we so much need. And that community mobilisation is a challenge to all of us here, especially trade unions representatives.
South Africa today
Within ten years into democracy, South Africa has laid the foundations for the design and implementation of policies to ensure democratic consolidation, competitive multi-party engagement and citizen participation. The framework created for political representation is laid out in the founding provisions of the Constitution which states that South Africa is one sovereign democratic state.
One of the important provisions in Chapter one of the Constitution states that South Africa is founded on universal adult suffrage, a national voters’ roll, regular elections and a multiparty system of democratic government, to ensure accountability responsiveness and openness.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have over the years reaped the fruits of democracy. We should remember that it is a hard earned democracy that we should preserve. It is also a democracy that continues to mature. Bearing testimony to this is the growing number of political parties contesting in the polls and the level of voter registration in the elections. Democracy is an ongoing process and people are starting to internalise multiparty.
It is therefore, incumbent upon us as trade union leaders present to exercise leadership and to inculcate the necessary values needed for a peaceful campaigning. Our Constitution does not provide for so called “no go areas”. Everyone has a right to vote for a party of his/her choice and a right to campaign freely during election time.
Code of Conduct and Political Parties
The Electoral Code of Conduct makes provision for everyone to:
* Freely express their political beliefs and opinions;
* Challenge and debate the political beliefs and opinions of others;
* Publish and distribute election and campaign materials, including notices and advertisements;
* Lawfully erect banners, billboards, placards and posters;
* Canvass support for a party or candidate;
* To recruit members of a party;
* To hold public meetings; and
* To travel to and attend public meetings.
As leaders of trade unions, you have a critical role to play in rebuilding peace and reconciliation in communities even after the elections.
You have a role to encourage a dialogue between the newly appointed councillors and your members who form part of the broader community. This will serve to enhance the functioning of democratic processes in our country.
The emphasis here is on the responsibility of the political parties not to violate, instigate hate speech or make threats to each other in the run up to the elections and beyond.
Ladies and gentlemen, political parties in South Africa have a good reputation for having observed the Code of Conduct since the advent of democracy in 1994. This is why South Africa has such a good image globally. We are a country that has parties that do not only observe the Code of Conduct but also accept election results.
It is also a democracy that continues to mature. Bearing testimony to this is the growing number of political parties contesting in the polls and the level of voter registration in the elections.
Since the first democratic elections in 1994, we have seen a significant growth in the number of political parties in South Africa.
For instance, a total of 97 parties are participating in the 2006 elections compared to 79 in the 2000 municipal elections, showing a 19 percentage growth. This is a measure of the healthy state of multiparty and maturing multiparty democracy.
2006 Elections Infrastructure
We have also seen an increase in the number of voting stations in these elections.
While we had 17 000 voting stations in the 2004 general elections, we now have 19 000 stations in place for the coming elections. This means the more the voting stations we have, the less time spent on queues and more accessibility, particularly in rural areas. By adding more stations, the IEC paid particular attention to improving the smooth running of elections.
I am happy to inform you that over 21 million have now registered to vote in the coming local government elections. This is indeed encouraging, taking into account that democracy is a new concept in South Africa.
In these municipal elections alone, 45 189 candidates countrywide will contest the elections.
This represents 50% increase in candidates participating compared to year 2000 elections. We have a total of 283 municipalities countrywide, 3895 wards nationally.
Observers
Ladies and gentlemen, these elections have attracted no less than 3 600 observers representing 31 accredited organisations. There are 15 observers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
Conclusion
Finally, I wish to urge you to work with us in encouraging our people to go to the polls on March 1. For, it is only through your vote that you can have a meaningful say in the running of your wards, municipalities and districts.
I thank you.
Issued by: Independent Electoral Commission
21 February 2006
Source: Independent Electoral Commission
Title: Bam: Briefing to trade unions on 2006 Municipal Elections
Address by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Dr Brigalia Bam, at a briefing to labour movement at Emperor Caesar’s Hotel in Kempton Park
Programme Director,
Leaders and representatives of the labour movement,
Fellow Commissioners,
Deputy Chief Electoral Officer,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Introduction
On behalf of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), it gives me great pleasure and honour to welcome you to this very important briefing on the upcoming local government elections. In line with the principles of our democracy, which is consultative in nature, the Electoral Commission has been engaging with a number of stakeholders to ensure that everyone is brought on board and plays a pivotal role in the 2006 Local Government Elections. These have included briefings to traditional leaders, political parties, youth formations, media and religious organisations.
The labour movement – one of the key pillars of the struggle for democracy in South Africa - is one such stakeholder. We have therefore, invited you to this briefing because we know that you will contribute immensely to the success of these elections. You have done so in past successive elections, and once again we will be counting on your support.
Role of Trade Unions
Ladies and gentlemen, trade unions have played an influential role in determining labour market and industrial relations policies in the country. The labour movement is also credited for having played a crucial role in the demise of apartheid, its legislation and practices at workplace and in the country.
The militancy shown by the trade union movement in support of union recognition and higher wages soon translated into political mobilisation against apartheid structures.
The apartheid-era Industrial Conciliation Act, for example, recognised the right of white, Indian and Coloured workers to belong to trade unions while denying black workers the same right. Consequently, trade unions argued that workers and their unions could not remain disengaged from community struggles to dismantle the apartheid system.
Unions soon began participating in community struggles against high rents, unrepresentative local councils and apartheid laws, leading in the 1980s to the establishment of community organisations, including youth, student and women’s structures.
A co-operative relationship between unions and community organisations was established. The many stay-aways in support of political demands in the 1980s were jointly organised by the unions and community organisations.
The trade unions' valuable organisational and negotiating experience was shared with community activists, ensuring effective community mobilisation.
Ladies and gentlemen, as we prepare to go to the polls in eight days from now on, it is that spirit of community mobilisation that we so much need. And that community mobilisation is a challenge to all of us here, especially trade unions representatives.
South Africa today
Within ten years into democracy, South Africa has laid the foundations for the design and implementation of policies to ensure democratic consolidation, competitive multi-party engagement and citizen participation. The framework created for political representation is laid out in the founding provisions of the Constitution which states that South Africa is one sovereign democratic state.
One of the important provisions in Chapter one of the Constitution states that South Africa is founded on universal adult suffrage, a national voters’ roll, regular elections and a multiparty system of democratic government, to ensure accountability responsiveness and openness.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have over the years reaped the fruits of democracy. We should remember that it is a hard earned democracy that we should preserve. It is also a democracy that continues to mature. Bearing testimony to this is the growing number of political parties contesting in the polls and the level of voter registration in the elections. Democracy is an ongoing process and people are starting to internalise multiparty.
It is therefore, incumbent upon us as trade union leaders present to exercise leadership and to inculcate the necessary values needed for a peaceful campaigning. Our Constitution does not provide for so called “no go areas”. Everyone has a right to vote for a party of his/her choice and a right to campaign freely during election time.
Code of Conduct and Political Parties
The Electoral Code of Conduct makes provision for everyone to:
* Freely express their political beliefs and opinions;
* Challenge and debate the political beliefs and opinions of others;
* Publish and distribute election and campaign materials, including notices and advertisements;
* Lawfully erect banners, billboards, placards and posters;
* Canvass support for a party or candidate;
* To recruit members of a party;
* To hold public meetings; and
* To travel to and attend public meetings.
As leaders of trade unions, you have a critical role to play in rebuilding peace and reconciliation in communities even after the elections.
You have a role to encourage a dialogue between the newly appointed councillors and your members who form part of the broader community. This will serve to enhance the functioning of democratic processes in our country.
The emphasis here is on the responsibility of the political parties not to violate, instigate hate speech or make threats to each other in the run up to the elections and beyond.
Ladies and gentlemen, political parties in South Africa have a good reputation for having observed the Code of Conduct since the advent of democracy in 1994. This is why South Africa has such a good image globally. We are a country that has parties that do not only observe the Code of Conduct but also accept election results.
It is also a democracy that continues to mature. Bearing testimony to this is the growing number of political parties contesting in the polls and the level of voter registration in the elections.
Since the first democratic elections in 1994, we have seen a significant growth in the number of political parties in South Africa.
For instance, a total of 97 parties are participating in the 2006 elections compared to 79 in the 2000 municipal elections, showing a 19 percentage growth. This is a measure of the healthy state of multiparty and maturing multiparty democracy.
2006 Elections Infrastructure
We have also seen an increase in the number of voting stations in these elections.
While we had 17 000 voting stations in the 2004 general elections, we now have 19 000 stations in place for the coming elections. This means the more the voting stations we have, the less time spent on queues and more accessibility, particularly in rural areas. By adding more stations, the IEC paid particular attention to improving the smooth running of elections.
I am happy to inform you that over 21 million have now registered to vote in the coming local government elections. This is indeed encouraging, taking into account that democracy is a new concept in South Africa.
In these municipal elections alone, 45 189 candidates countrywide will contest the elections.
This represents 50% increase in candidates participating compared to year 2000 elections. We have a total of 283 municipalities countrywide, 3895 wards nationally.
Observers
Ladies and gentlemen, these elections have attracted no less than 3 600 observers representing 31 accredited organisations. There are 15 observers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
Conclusion
Finally, I wish to urge you to work with us in encouraging our people to go to the polls on March 1. For, it is only through your vote that you can have a meaningful say in the running of your wards, municipalities and districts.
I thank you.
Issued by: Independent Electoral Commission
21 February 2006
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